Cable straightener

ABSTRACT

A ram is mounted on a base for reciprocative movement of the ram head in a plane extending between a pair of blocks also mounted on the base. A bent portion of a cable is supported across the blocks with the bend facing the ram head, whereupon movement of the latter toward the blocks effects straightening of the cable. In a preferred embodiment, the ram head extends through an opening in the base and is provided with opposed cable-engaging surfaces, and a pair of blocks are provided on each of the opposing sides of the base, whereupon bent cable may be straightened either from below the base or from above it. The spacing between the blocks is adjustable to accommodate the straightening of cables of various diameters.

United States Patent Dehlbom et al.

[ Nov. 19, 1974 l CABLE STRAIGHTENER [76] 1111161110151 Eugene K.Dehlbom, 3241 Allen St., SW g m jg g K6150 wash. 98626; Rockne sszstantxammerF amesOl uIZDanO1 Foshaug, Route 1, Box 15, Rainier, AttorneyAgent or lrm Iver Ore 97048 g 57 ABSTRACT [22] Filed: 1973 A ram ismounted on a base for reciprocative move- [21] Appl. No.: 350,335 mentof the ram head in a plane extending between a pair of blocks alsomounted on the base. A bent portion of a cable is supported across theblocks with the 72/384 6 bend facing the ram head, whereupon movement of[58] d 29/200 B the latter toward the blocks effects straightening of leearc 29/203 D the cable. In a preferred embodiment, the ram head extendsthrough an opening in the base and is provided with opposedcable-engaging surfaces, and a [56] References cled pair of blocks areprovided on each of the opposing UNITED STATES PATENTS sides of thebase, whereupon bent cable may be 489,102 1/1893 Short 72/389straightened either from below the base or from above 630,484 8/1899Brown 1 72/389 it, The spacing between the blacks is adjustable to ac-2,100,961 11/1937 Jones et a1.... 72/389 commodate h Straightening fcables of various 2,711,205 6/1955 Brown 72/389 ameters 3,270,545 9/1966Jackes et a] 29/200 B 3.333445 8/1967 Mergler et al. 72/389 I 6 Claims,4 Drawing Figures 5 54 6456 I I II 10 U11 W I y R i i 48 w:

14 7' l: as U12 7 36 V PATENTEL rm 1 9 I914 CABLE STRAIGHTENERBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to cablestraighteners, and more particularly to a cable straightener of uniqueconstruction and mode of operation.

Cable straighteners provided heretofore involve the introduction of bentcable between clamps or rollers. This requires arduous, difficult andsometimes hazardous manual manipulation of the cable. Further, thestrength of the cable is adversely affected by such treatment. Moreover,such prior cable straighteners are of bulky and heavy construction andtherefore are not capable of convenient transport. Accordingly, it hasbeen required to transport bent cable from the site of use to a distantplant in which the equipment is permanently installed. The cost oftransport to and from such permanent installation, together with theloss of cable production time at the site of use, reflect adversely onthe cost of operations in which the cable is employed. Such prior cablestraighteners also are of complex and costly construction and requireconsiderable maintenance and repair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In its basic concept, the cable straightener ofthis invention involves the relative movement between a pair of spacedcable supports and a ram head positioned in a plane extending betweenthe pair of cable supports, whereby engagement of the head with anintermediate portion of bent cable extending between the cable supportseffects straightening of the cable as the head and spaced cable supportsmove toward each other.

It is by virtue of the foregoing basic concept that the principalobjective of this invention is achieved; namely, to overcome theaforementioned disadvantages of prior cable straighteners.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of a cablestraightener which is capable of mounting on a vehicle for transport toand use at a site of cable operation.

Still another important object of this invention is the provision of acable straightener which requires minimum manual manipulation of bentcable for installation in the straightener.

A further important object of this invention is the provision of a cablestraightener which is adjustable with speed and facility to accommodatethe straightening of cables of various diameters.

A still further important object of this invention is the provision of acable straightener which is of simplified construction for economicalmanufacture.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention willappear from the following detailed description, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawing of a preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a view in side elevation of acable straightener embodying the features of this invention, parts beingbroken away to disclose details of internal construction.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 33 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, foreshortened view in elevation of the headcomponent of the straightener shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The cable straightenerillustrated includes a base member 10 in the form of a flat structuralplate. The base member may be secured to any desired form of structuralsupport. In the embodiment illustrated, an elongated post 12 of squareor other non-circular crosssection is secured at its upper end to therearward side of the base member and extends vertically downwardtherefrom. The post is receivable removably in an elongated hollowsleeve 14 having a corresponding noncircular cross-section. The sleeveis secured to any desired structural support. Thus, it may be secured toa bench or other structural support to provide a permanent, in-plantinstallation. Alternatively, it may be secured to a truck, tractor, orother type of vehicle for transport of the straightener to the site ofcable operations.

Mounted on the base and extending upwardly therefrom is an elongatedstructural frame 16. In the embodiment best illustrated in FIG. 2, thisframe is in the form of an H-beam. The bottom of the beam is secured tothe base member, as by welding or other suitable means, and the top ofthe beam is provided with a support plate 18.

An extensible fluid pressure ram is supported by the beam. In theembodiment illustrated, the elongated fluid pressure cylinder 20 of theram is supported at its upper end by a bolt 22 extending through the topplate 18. A U-shaped strap 24 encircles the exposed lower portion of thecylinder and is secured at its ends to the beam, as by means of bolts26. Flexible conduits 28 extend from the opposite ends of the cylinderthrough openings in the beam 16 for connection to a source of fluidpressure, preferably hydraulic pressure.

The piston rod 30 of the ram projects downward from the cylinder forremovable attachment of a head member 32. In the embodiment bestillustrated in FIG. 4, the head member comprises an elongated structuralmember of substantially C-shape, providing a pair of opposed headsections 34 and 36. The upper end of the head member is provided with athreaded bore for connection to the threaded terminal end of the pistonrod 30. A lock nut 38 on the threaded piston rod (FIG. 3) serves tosecure the connection.

The elongated head member extends freely through an opening 40 in thebase member, for vertical reciprocation during extension and retractionof the ram. The portion of the head member projecting downward throughthe base member is confined within and guided by a channel-shaped guide42 which is secured to and projects downward from the base member.

Associated with the head member are two pairs of laterally spaced cablesupport members. One pair 44 projects upward from the base member andother pair 46 projects downward therefrom. In the embodimentillustrated, one member of each pair are interconnected as an integralunit, by forwardly and rearwardly extending channel sections 48 and 5.0,respectively. These channel sections space the joined support membersapart and form an elongated slot 52 which freely receives the basemember therethrough. Outwardly extending gussets 54 on the supportmembers bear on the base plate to stablize the support members againstoutward tilting.

Means is provided for securing the pairs of support members to the basemember, preferably for lateral adjustment of the spacing therebetween.As explained more fully hereinafter, such adjustment of lateral spacingaccommodates the straightening of cables of varying diameters. In theembodiment illustrated, such means comprises a plurality of openingsthrough the base member adjacent the forward and rearward sides of thelatter. The openings are arranged in laterally spaced pairs, with eachpair being spaced apart a distance different from the other pairs. Inthe embodiment best illustrated in FIG. 2, three such pairs of openingsare provided. The innermost openings 56 form one pair, the intermediateopenings 58 form a second pair and the outermost openings 60 forming athird pair.

An opening 62 also is provided through the C-shaped sections 48 and 50of each joined pair of support members. These openings are arranged forregistration with the openings in the base member, whereupon a lockingpin 64 may be inserted through the aligned openings to secure thesupport members to the base member in the selected position of lateraladjustment.

The pairs of cable support members 44 and 46 preferably are provided attheir outer sides with laterally aligned, outwardly concave grooves 66.These grooves form pockets within which to receive and retain spacedportions of a cable to be straightened. Similarly, the inner,longitudinally spaced sides of the head sections 34 and 36 preferablyhave inwardly concave surfaces 68 for the purpose of receiving andretaining an intermediate portion of bent cable extending between thepair of support members. The areuate surfaces of the support members andhead member are aligned so as to support the bent cable in the plane ofreciprocative movement of the head member.

The cable straightener construction described hereinbefore accommodatesthe straigtening of cable either by installing the cable upon the upperpair of support members 44 or upon the lower pair of support members 46.As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the upper pair of support members areutilized when the bend in the cable C extends upward, and the lower pairof support members 46 are utilized when the bend in the cable C' extendsdownward. By the provision of upper and lower pairs of support members,manual manipulation of bent cable is minimized. For example, if the bentcable lies flatwise on the ground, it need be rotated no more than 90,either upward or downward, whichever is easier. This represents asignificant advantage, particularly when cables of large diameter areinvolved.

As previously mentioned, the cable straightener illustrated accommodatescables of various diameters, by virtue of the lateral adjustability ofthe support members. Thus, for example, with the pair of support membersspaced apart the minimum distance illustrated in FIG. 2, which spacingis about 4 inches, the straightener functions properly to straightencable up to /s inch in diameter. When the support members are spacedapart the intermediate distance of the intermediate pair of openings 58,which distance is about 6 inches, the straightener functions properly tostraighten cable having a diameter ranging from about inch to about 1.5inches. When the support members are spaced apart the maximum distanceof the outermost openings 60, which distance is about 8 inches, thestraightener functions properly to straighten cable ranging in diameterfrom 1.5 inches to about 2 inches.

In the operation of the straightener described hereinbefore, let it beassumed that the cable to be straightened is less than inch in diameter,and therefore the support members are secured to the base member withthe minimum spacing illustrated in FIG. 2. Assuming that the bend ofcable C faces upward, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the ram is retracted andthe bent portion of cable is installed across the upper pair of supportmembers 44 and under the upper head section 34 of the head member. Fluidpressure then is delivered to the upper end of the ram cylinder 20 tocause extension of the ram and consequent downward movement of the upperhead section 34. This movement usually is continued until the cable hasbeen bent slightly beyond the straight condition, since it will springback slightly. The extent to which the upper head section is thus moveddownward depends upon the magnitude of the bend in the cable, thestrength characteristics of the cable, and other factors which soon arelearned by the operator. Fluid pressure then is supplied to the lowerend of the ram cylinder to effect retraction of the ram and consequentupward movement of the upper head section 34. The cable thereuponreturns from the slightly overbent condition to the straightenedcondition.

In the event the bend of the cable C extends downward, as indicated inFIG. 3, fluid pressure is initially supplied to the upper end of thecylinder 20 to effect extension of the ram and consequent downwardmovement of the head member until the lower head section 36 is spacedsufficiently below the associated lower pair of support members 46 toaccommodate the bent cable therebetween. Fluid pressure then is suppliedto the lower end of the ram cylinder to effect retraction of the latterand consequent upward movement of the lower head section 36. The latterthus engages the bent cable C intermediate the points of support by thespaced support members 46. Continued upward movement of the lower headsection thus effects straightening of the cable, in the same manner aspreviously described.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made in the size, shape, type, number and arrangement of partsdescribed hereinbefore. For example, the cable straightener may beprovided with but a single pair of support members 44 mounted on thebase member 10 and projecting therefrom toward the ram. In such event,only the upper head section 34 need be provided, and the central opening40 in the base member may be omitted. The pair of support members may besecured to the base member in a fixed, non-adjustable condition, in theevent the straightener is to be used for a limited range of sizes ofcable. The extensible ram may be replaced by any other suitable sourceof extensible power, and the source of power may interconnect the basemember and head member in such manner as to move the base memberrelative to the head member, rather than the reverse arrangementillustrated. These and other modifications may be made, asdesired,'without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Having now described our invention and the manner in which it may beused, we claim:

1. A cable straightener comprising:

a. a base member,

b. two pairs of laterally spaced cable support members mounted on thebase member for supporting a bent portion of cable between the supportmembers of each pair, one pair projecting from one surface of the basemember and the other pair projecting from the opposite surface of thebase member,

c. the base member having an opening therethrough between the cablesupport members of each pair,

d. a head member extending freely through said opening and having a pairof opposed head sections one associated with each of said pairs of cablesupport members for engaging a bent portion of cable intermediate theassociated cable support members, and

e. reciprocative power means interengaging the base member and headmember for moving said head member relative to the base member, wherebymovemnt of each head section toward its associated cable support memberseffects straightening of a cable supported therebetween.

2. The cable straightener of claim 1 wherein one cable support member ofeach pair are joined together with a slot therebetween arranged toreceive the base member freely therethrough, and adjustment meansinterengages the base member and each joined pair of cable supportmembers for adjusting the spacing between said cable support members.

3. The cable straightener of claim 2 wherein the adjustment meanscomprises a plurality of laterally spaced openings in the base member,an opening in each joined pair of cable support members registrableselectively with the openings in the base member, and securing meansreceivable in said registering openings for securing the support membersto the base member in selected positions of lateral spacing.

4. The cable straightener of claim 1 including an elongated framesecured to and projecting perpendicu larly from the central rear portionof the base member between the cable support members, said framemounting the reciprocative power means.

5. The cable straightener of claim 1 including a mounting postprojecting from the rear portion of the base member, and a mountingsleeve removably receiving the mounting post and adapted to be attachedto a support.

6. A cable straightener comprising:

a. a base member,

b. a pair of laterally spaced cable support members mounted on the basemember and projecting from the plane thereof for supporting a bentportion of cable between them,

c. an elongated frame secured to and projecting perpendicularly from thecentral rear portion of the base member between the cable supportmembers.

d. a head member disposed in a plane extending between the pair of cablesupport members for engaging the bent portion of cable intermediate thecable support members,

e. reciprocative power means mounted on the frame and supporting thehead member for reciprocating the latter relative to the cable supportmembers, whereby movement of the head member toward the cable supportmembers effects straightening of the cable supported therebetween,

f. a mounting post projecting from the rear portion of the base member,and

g. a mounting sleeve removably receiving the mounting post and adaptedto be attached to a support.

1. A cable straightener comprising: a. a base member, b. two pairs oflaterally spaced cable support members mounted on the base member forsupporting a bent portion of cable between the support members of eachpair, one pair projecting from one surface of the base member and theother pair projecting from the opposite surface of the base member, c.the base member having an opening therethrough between the cable supportmembers of each pair, d. a head member extending freely through saidopening and having a pair of opposed head sections one associated witheach of said pairs of cable support members for engaging a bent portionof cable intermediate the associated cable support members, and e.reciprocative power means interengaging the base member and head memberfor moving said head member relative to the base member, whereby movemntof each head section toward its associated cable support members effectsstraightening of a cable supported therebetween.
 2. The cablestraightener of claim 1 wherein one cable support member of each pairare joined together with a slot therebetween arranged to receive thebase member freely therethrough, and adjustment means interengages thebase member and each joined pair of cable support members for adjustingthe spacing between said cable support members.
 3. The cablestraightener of claim 2 wherein the adjustment means comprises aplurality of laterally spaced openings In the base member, an opening ineach joined pair of cable support members registrable selectively withthe openings in the base member, and securing means receivable in saidregistering openings for securing the support members to the base memberin selected positions of lateral spacing.
 4. The cable straightener ofclaim 1 including an elongated frame secured to and projectingperpendicularly from the central rear portion of the base member betweenthe cable support members, said frame mounting the reciprocative powermeans.
 5. The cable straightener of claim 1 including a mounting postprojecting from the rear portion of the base member, and a mountingsleeve removably receiving the mounting post and adapted to be attachedto a support.
 6. A cable straightener comprising: a. a base member, b. apair of laterally spaced cable support members mounted on the basemember and projecting from the plane thereof for supporting a bentportion of cable between them, c. an elongated frame secured to andprojecting perpendicularly from the central rear portion of the basemember between the cable support members, d. a head member disposed in aplane extending between the pair of cable support members for engagingthe bent portion of cable intermediate the cable support members, e.reciprocative power means mounted on the frame and supporting the headmember for reciprocating the latter relative to the cable supportmembers, whereby movement of the head member toward the cable supportmembers effects straightening of the cable supported therebetween, f. amounting post projecting from the rear portion of the base member, andg. a mounting sleeve removably receiving the mounting post and adaptedto be attached to a support.